Coin release mechanism



26, 1940- s. E. VAN TUYL ETAL 2,223,052

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet l W V d. 7vi.

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Nov. 26, 1940.. s. VAN TUYL EIAL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet4 Filed Jan. 17, 1958 Nov. 26, 1940 5. E. VAN TUYL ETAL COIN RELEASEMECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 17, 1938 'I Z 6 5 d [Ia/enterskl: .lllhl N 1940- s. E. VAN TUYL ETAL 2,223,052.

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 26,1940- s. E. VAN TUYL ETALI.

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 26,1940- s. E. VAN TUYL 'ET AL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM l2 Sheets-Sheet 9Filed Jan. 17, 1938 5 k y .e s mw s. 2 5

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COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet ll mung-w I jif Nav. 26, 1940. s. E. VAN TUYL ET M. 3 2

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 PatentedNov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN RELEASE MECHANISM tion oiIllinois Application January 17, 1938, Serial No. 185,344

14 Claims.

This invention relates to coin released mechanism and has for itsprincipal object the provision of such a mechanism which is adapted toreceive coins of several denominations to be released 5 thereby for anappropriate number of actuations I or operations.

While the invention may be applied to various mechanisms and machines,it is illustrated herein by way of example in its application to a vendling machine in which a coin frees the mechanism for the delivery of onepackage; a coin frees the mechanism for the delivery of two packages;and a 25 coin frees the mechanism for the delivery of five packages. Theinvention will more fully be understood from the following descriptionof a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vending ma- 2@ chine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine as viewed from the right, thehousing being broken away to show internal parts;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the coin 25 mechanism unit, thehousing being removed;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the coin mechanism unit with thehousing removed;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the upper part of the mechanism, asviewed from the right, the

30 housing being shown in section to disclose the said mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a similar view, looking from the left;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the coin mechanism unit, as viewed fromthe front, the section 35 being taken on the line 'I--l of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the coin mechanism unit, as viewed fromthe rear, the section being taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of part of the 40 coin mechanism unitappertaining to 25 actuation, the view being taken on the line 9-9 ofFig. 10;

Fig, 10 is a sectional view therethrough, the

section being taken on the line l0lll of Fig. 9; 45 Fig. 11 is asectional detail view, the section being taken on the line I l-l i ofFig. 6, and

Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are sectional detail views, taken on thelines I2--l2 of Fig. 8, I3-l3 of Fig. 8, l4-l4 of Fig. 3, l5-l5 of Fig.3, and

50 |6-l6 of Fig. 8, respectively.

Referring to the drawings, the mechanism comprises a housing 20 ofsuitable shape within which is located a merchandise tube 2|. This tubeterminates somewhat above the normal position of 55 a plate 22. Theplate 22 is pivotally mounted at 23 on a rigid frame 24 located withinthe housing. The merchandise tube 2! is rigidly carried by the frame 24.

The plate 22 is normally engaged by a stop 25 also carried by the frame24 and is biased up- 5 wardly therefrom by a spring 26 which is so weakthat the plate 22 is moved into engagement with the stop 25 by theweight of a single package of merchandise, the packages of merchandisebeing indicated by the reference numeral 21. As 10 shown in Fig. 2, whenthe plate 22 is in its normal position, the lowermost package 21 isbelow the merchandising tube 26.

The lowest package of merchandise 2'17 is adapted to be dispensed by adispensing plate 28 15 which is slidably mounted by pins 29 on the frame2d, These pins extend through slots in a mar ginal flange 30 on one sideof the plate 23. The plate 28 is biased forwardly by a spring 3i, and

it is connected by a much stronger spring 32 which at extends rearwardlyand is anchored to an arm 33 rigidly carried by a shaft 34. When the arm33 is moved rearwardly by the downward actuation of the handle 35 whichis rigidly mounted on the shaft 34, the plate 28 is resiliently moved 25rearwardly so that it engages the lowest package 211 of the merchandiseand forces the same into a dispensing tube 36 so that it may be pickedup by the purchaser at the opening 31.

The handle 35 rigidly carries a toothed sector 30 38 which is adapted tocooperate with a pawl 39 so as to providea full stroke mechanism. Aprojection 40 of the handle has pivotally connected thereto a bar Mwhich extends upwardly within the housing and is pivotally connected toa short 35 arm 42 rigidly mounted on a shaft 43 rotatably mounted in theupper part of the housing. The handle 35 is strongly biased upwardly bya spring 44. The shaft 34 on which the handle 35 is rigidly mountedcarries a worm 45 which meshes 40 with a worm gear 45 which is rigidlymounted on a shaft 41. The shaft 41 is pivotally mounted by means ofbearings 48 on the frame 24 and it has rigidly mounted thereon a longupwardly extending arm 49 which is oscillated each time the 45 handle 35is moved.

The handle 35 carries a formation 50 which is adapted to engage the rearend of an arm 5| pivotally mounted on the frame 24. The arm 5| is biasedrearwardly by a spring 52 and is pro- 50 vided with a recess 53. If thehandle is moved downwardly the spring 52 tends to move the arm 5|rearwardly, with the result that the projection 50 on the arm 35 entersthe recess 53 on the arm 5| before thepawl 39 engages the teeth on 55the sector 38. Consequently, it is normally impossible to move the arm35 downwardly.

The arm 5I is pivotally connected by means of a pin and slot connectionto a lever 54 which is pivoted to the frame 24 at 55. The upper end ofthe lever 54 engages an adjustable stop 56 carried by a lever 51 in theupper part of the machine. It will readily be understood that when thelever 51 is held in the position shown in Fig. 2, which occurs in amanner hereinafter to be described, then the handle 35 may be moveddownwardly.

When the merchandise is exhausted, the plate 22 is adapted to moveupwardly. The plate 22 carries an upwardly projecting pin 58 which isthus brought into the path of the dispensing plate 28 and, consequently,prevents the rearward movement of that plate. On the forward side of themerchandise tube 2I is slidably mounted a plate 59 which is adapted todrop, under certain conditions, into the path of the plate 28 so as toprevent dispensing movement thereof.

The plate 59 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by a lever68 pivotally mounted, 4 on the frame 24. The forward end of the lever 68is provided with a slot 8| through which passes a pin 62 carried by anarm 63 which is pivoted on the frame 24. The arm 63 is biased forwardlyby means of a spring 64 and the lever 68 is bent at an angle, as shownin Fig. 2, so that the forward movement of the arm 63 causes the plate59 to move downwardly. The arm 63 is normally prevented from movingforwardly in this manner by engagement with an abutment 65 carried-atthe lower end of a lever 66 which is mounted in the upper part of themachine. The upper end of the arm 63 and the upper end of the lever 54may be guided in suitable slots (not shown) in a bracket 61 mounted onthe frame 24.

When the plate 22 moves upwardly owing to the absence of merchandise, inthe manner heretofore described, a bar 681s pushed upwardly. The upperend of the bar 68 engages one end of a lever 69.

The upper part of the machine comprises a supporting plate 18 which isrigidly mounted on the frame 24 by a bracket H, a flange 12, and abracket 13. The plate 18 is located at a small angle to the vertical inorder that the window 14 in the front of the housing and three handles Imay be seen and operated with facility.

1 Through the window 14 is seen three coin display discs 16, each ofwhich is provided with seven coin-receiving pockets. These discs operatewithin circular beaded frames 11 which prevent the coins from movingradially except when such movement is desired.

Mounted upon the plate 18 is a plate 18, portions of which are in spacedrelation to the plate 18 so as to provide chutes and passageways for thecoins. Integral with the cover plate 18 are 1 three cylindricalcoin-receiving formations 19 I which project forwardly through the fronthousing, as shown in Fig. 6. The plate 18 is provided with beadformations for the purpose of definbeing one coin chute for 88 and 8|which define downwardly from the towards the right.

a coin chute which slopes position of the inlet 19 The coin chute 82thus provided delivers the coin into a coin chute 83 which slopes in theopposite direction, that is, to the left and downwardly, this coin.chute being formed by an upper beaded formation 84, the

lower beaded formation 85, and a flange 86 which projects forwardlyabove the level of the beaded formations.

The beaded formation 84 extends around a pocket 81 in which is located ahorseshoe magnet 88. Between the horseshoe magnet 88 and the left-handextremity of the flange 86 the coin is free to drop into a chute 89which extends to the right and a chute 98 which extends to the left. Thechute 89 is constituted by beaded formations SI and 92 which merge withthe circular beaded formations 11 previously referred to.

The chute 98 is constituted by beaded formations 93 and 94 and any coinpassing into this chute is delivered through an opening 95 in the plate18. It will be understood that the beaded formations just described areduplicated for the mechanisms for receiving all three coins.

The plate 18 also carries beaded formations 96 and 91. It must beunderstood that all these beaded formations are of uniform height.Consequently, the coin chutes referred to are completed by securing theflat plate 18 to the plate 18 so that it rests on said beadedformations. The plate 18 is provided with openings 98 which align withthe coin display discs 16. These openings are somewhat smaller indiameter than the interior diameter of the circular formations 11.Consequently, the adjacent portions of the plate 18 around the openings98 constitute a peripheral flange which prevents coins from beingdisplaced upwardly out of the pockets of the coin display discs.

The coin display discs 16 are provided with central bosses and thesebosses are provided with radially directed projections 99 which areadapted to overlie coins in the pockets of the display discs and preventthe accidental displacement of the coins in the forward direction.

The plate 18 is provided with three openings I88 in alignment with theentering positions of the coins. The rear wall of the housing 28 isprovided with openings IIII (Fig. 2) in alignment with the openings I88so that in the event a coin gets stuck in any of the coin receivers 19,a suitable punch may be introduced by the opening IM to displace thecoin.

Along each chute 83 the plate 18 is provided with an opening I82 throughwhich may fall undersized coins. The opposite ends of the opening I82are beveled, as shown at I83 (Fig. 14). Along the lower edge of thechute 83 at an intermediate point of the opening I82 the plate 18 isprovided with a wedge-shaped projection I84 which insures that a coinwill lean backwards and if it is of the correct size, it will bearagainst the upper part of the coin chute 83 provided by the plate 18.Consequently, a. coin which is of insuflicient diameter will be causedto fall through the opening 83 into a trough I85. When passing the zoneof the projection I84, the lower edge of the coin runs upon the flange86 previously referred to.

The plate 18 is provided with a pocket I86 to enable the coin to passthe projection I84. At the entrance of the chute 89 the plate 18 isprovided with a slot I81 through which is adapted to extend theforwardly turned end I88 of a light lever I89. The lever I89 ispivotally mounted on a pin I I8 which extends through the webs of aU-shaped bracket III mounted on the rear of the plate 18.

The pin H8 is provided at one end with a laterally turned loop II2whereby the pin II 8 may be held against displacement by the screw H3.

The lower end of the lever I09 is free to swing within a slot H4 in theplate I0, which slot is located in the coin chute 89. The slot "4communicates with an arcuate slot II5, the purpose of which willhereinafter be described. The lower portion of the lever I09 is bentlaterally and it normally extends into the coin chute 89, the plate I8being provided with a forwardly pressed formation IIG for itsaccommodation.

At its lower end the lever I09 carries a forwardly projecting portionIII which is also adapted to extend through the plate I8 adjacent theopening 98. The projection III is adapted to be engaged by a coin in thepocket of the display disc 18 in coin-receiving position. Consequently,while there is a coin in the display disc I6 at that position, theinturned end I08 is displaced into the coin chute 88 so that a furthercoin is prevented from entering. If a coin is inserted in thecoin-receiving opening I9 while a coin is in the coin-receiving positionof the display disc IS, the second coin will roll over the projectingportion I08 and will be delivered through the opening 95 from which itpasses by the manifold chute H8 to a return cup H9.

The plate 10 is provided with two slots I and I2I within which aremovably mounted the pins I22 and I23, respectively. The pins I22 and I23normally have the position in which they are shown in Fig. '7. When inthis position they are adapted to arrest a coin and it may be noted thatthe coin thus arrested is in contact with the lever I09 so that theprojection I08 is moved into the chute 89. In register with thecoin-receiving pocket of each coin display disc '76, the plate 70 isprovided with openings, through which are adapted to extend pins I24 andI25. The pin I24 is located at the center of a coin in the receivingposition. The pin I25 is located adjacent a marginal portion of the coinin coin-receiving position.

The coin-receiving discs are adapted to be rotated step by step in thecounter-clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the machine,that is, as viewed in Fig. '7. At the position to the right of thecoin-receiving position, the plate I0 is provided with an opening I26through which coins carried around by the display disc are adapted tofall into coin chutes I21, I28 and I29.

In some cases it is desirable to provide for the employment ofauthorized tokens as well as coins. Thus, the right-hand display disc asviewed in Fig. '7, that is, the nickel or 5 display disc, is adapted foruse with nickels or with tokens of a certain limited magnetic quality.Such tokens may, for example, be formed of bronze or the like, butprovided with a central core of magnetic metal. This core is not ofsufficient mass that the coin is deflected by the magnet 88 from thecoin chute 89 into the coin chute 95, as is the case with a ferrousslug. Nevertheless, the mass of the magnetic core is such that it isattracted by a magnet I30.

Below the magnet is provided a chute I3I into which genuine coins pass.The chute I3I delivers into a chute I32 into which also deliver thechutes I21 and I28. The chute I32 extends downwardly to the cash box I33at the bottom of the machine.

The special tokens being held by the magnet I are carried around by thedisplay disc I6 and eventually are discharged through the appropriateopening I26 in the plate I0. These tokens fall into chutes I29 and I34which extend in separate sections downwardly to a token box I85 in thebottom of the machine. In case it is desired to employ tokens which havea very small opening in their center and at the same time prevent thedelivery of merchandise for a spurious token with a large opening in itscenter, we may employ a stepped pin I24, as shown in Fig. 5 instead ofthe round pins I24 shown in connection with the other coin displaydiscs.

Upon the plate '78 is pivotally mounted an arm I36, one for eachcoin-receiving opening, which carries a, stud I37 which extends throughan arcuate slot I38 in the plate I8, through the coin chute 89, and intothe slot II5 which is in alignment with the slot I38. In normalcondition the arm I38 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the studI3'I is located in the position shown in Fig. '7, that is, immediatelyabove the chute 89. The arm I36 is held in this position by a springI39. The arm I36 carries a forwardly extending stud I40 whereby it maybe moved downwardly. It is thus moved downwardly when a coin issupported 'on the two pins I22 and I 23 and the stud I3I then engagesthe coin and forces it downwardly past the pins I22 and I23 into thecoin-receiving positiqn in the coin display disc.

This downward movement is effected by means of a handle IM located onthe exterior of the housing 2 The handle I4I is rotatably mounted on thehousing by means of a shaft I42. The inner end of the shaft I42 isflattened to receive in rigid relation the boss of an arm I43. The armM3 is held on the shaft I42 by means of a washer M4 and screw I45.

The arm M3 is adapted to engage the stud I65. When not actuated by thehandle MI the arm I43 is in the position shown in Fig. 11, being movedto that position by a spring I46 and by the action of the spring I39which moves the associated arm I36 upwardly. The spring M3 is anchoredto a suitable bracket I57 mounted on the inner side of the housing 26.bracket serves as a support for a rubber abutment I48 which is adaptedto engage an abutment I49 on the boss of the arm I43 so as to limit themovement of the handle MI.

The pin I23 is carried by a bell crank lever l5 mounted on the forwardside of the plate '78 and it extends through a slot I50 in the plate 78in alignment with the slot I'M. The bell crank lever I5 is biased by aspring I5I so that the pin I23 is normally in its innermost position, inwhich it assists in arresting a coin passing downward through the chute89. When the handle MI is actuated and the pin I31 moves downwardly inthe slot I I5, the coin forces the pin I23 outwardly against the tensionof the spring I5I. At the same time the pin I22 is moved outwardly.

The pin I22, which extends from the rear through the slot I20 in theplate I0 and through a registering slot I52 in the plate I8, is carriedby a forked lever I53 pivotally mounted on the back of the plate 10. Thelever I53 is biased by a spring I54 so that the pin I22 is located inits innermost position with respect to the chute 89, that is, theposition shown in Fig. '7. It will readily be understood that when acoin is forced down the chute 89 by the pin I31, the forked lever I53 isswung to the right as viewed in Fig. 8, this being a view looking fromthe rear of the machine.

On the rear side of the plate I0 are mounted three leaf springs I55which extend past the upper portion of the slot H5 in which rides theThis ' the position in which pin I31 moves upwardly to itis shown inFigs. 7 and 8, it engages the ca n portion I56 (Fig. 15) and moves thespring away from'the plate 10. This movement of the spring enables theupper part of the lever the projecting end I08,- to withdraw from thechute 89, the lever I09 being provided with a weight I51 to effect thisresult.

When a coin entersthe chute 89 it is arrested by the pins I22 and I23.In moving to this posit tion of arrestment the coin engages the forwardknee-like portion of the lever- I09 (Figs. 10 and 13) and causesitsupper end I08 to project into the chute 89. The downward movement ofthe pin I31 moves the coin into the coin-receiving position of thedisplay disc 16. When the handle I is released, the pin I31 moves intoits initial position and moves the spring I55 away from the lever I09.The projection I08 remains in the chute 89 until the coin display discis rotated one step, whereupon the projection I08 pin I31. When themoves completely out of the coin chute 89 to enable the same to receivean additional coin.

The coin display disc 16 is rigidly mounted on a shaft I58 which has afront bearing in the plate 10 and a rear bearing in the bracket I59supported on a structure built up from the rear of the plate 10. Twoadjacent ratchet wheels I60 and I6I are rigidly mounted on the shaft I58(Fig. 10). integrally upon a hub I62 whereby they may be easily attachedrigidly to the shaft I58.

Behind the ratchet wheels I60 and I6I a third ratchet wheel I63 ismounted on the shaft I58 for free rotation. The ratchet wheel I63 isprovided with a hub I 64 to which is anchored a spring I65. This springextends partly around the hub and is anchored to a stationary part ofthe machine so that it always tends to rotate the ratchet wheel I63 incounter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9. Also freely mounted onthe shaft I58 is the boss I66 of a lever I61, best shown in 1 isnormally held in the position shown in Fig.

Fi 4. The lower end of the three levers I61 are pivotally connected to abar I68 (Fig. 4) which 4 by a spring I89.

The bar I68 pivotally carries a dog I10 which is biased by gravity, orotherwise, downwardly into the path of the arm 49. When the arm 49 movesto the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, which 1 occurs on the down stroke ofthe dispensing handle 35, the arm 49 moves the dog I out of its I69returns the bar I68 Consequently, the lever I61 is displaced in aclockway. However, when the arm 49 moves to the :left, as viewed in Fig.4, which corresponds to 1 the return or upward movement of the dispens-49 forces the dog I10 and, consequently, the

ing handle 35, the arm against an abutment I1I bar I 68 is moved to theleft (Fig. 4).

When the arm 49 clears the dog I10, the spring to its normal position.

wise direction (Fig. 4) during each return stroke of the dispensinghandle 35 and the lever returns to its normal position during saidreturn stroke.

A dog I12, pivotally mounted on a frame plate I13 which is carried fromthe plate 10, is biased by a spring I14 so that it engages the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel I63. as shown in Figs. 4 and 9. On its forward sidethe dog I12 carries a pin I which lies in the path of the longer of thetwo arms of the'bifurcated lever I53. Consequently, when this lever isdisplaced by the downward movement of a coin past the pin I22, thelonger arm of the lever engages the pin I15 I09, that is, the part whichcarries These ratchets may be formed.

the ratchet wheel I63. A dog I18, also pivotally mounted on the plateI13, cooperates with the teeth of the ratchet wheel I60 so as toprewheels I60 and I6I,' 5

vent rotation of the ratchet v the shaft I58, and the coin display disc16, except in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, or thecounter-clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the machine. r

The dog I18 is .biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel I60 bymeans of a stout spring I 19. The three ratchet wheels I60, I6I and I63have the same number of teeth, but they are of different sizes, as isbest seen in Fig. 9. One recess, indicated at I80, of the ratchet wheelI63 is sufficiently deep so that it extends into alignment with therecesses of the ratchet wheel I6I. The other tooth recesses of theratchet wheel I 63 extend only to points located outwardly of thehighest points on the ratchet wheel I6I. dog I8I is pivotally mounted onthe lever I61. This dog is biased towards the ratchet wheel I63 by aspring I82.

The shorter arm of the bifurcated lever I53 carries a rearwardprojection I83 which is adapted to engage the dog I8I when thebifurcated lever is displaced in the counter-clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 9, that is, when a coin is forced down the chute 89.Consequently, this displacement of the bifurcated lever I53 elevates thedogs I 8| and I12 away from the ratchet wheel I63, with the result thatthe spring I65 rotates this ratchet wheel in the counter-clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 9, until a stop I16 mounted on the ratchetwheel engages a rigid stop I11.

The longer arm of the bifurcated lever I53 carries a pin I84 whichextends rearwardly through a slot I85 in the plate I13. When the leverI53 is displaced to the right, as viewed in Fig. 9, a detent I 86 on adog I81, which is pivotally mounted on the plate I 13, moves down behindthe pin I84 so that the dogs I12 and I8I are maintained out of contactwith the ratchet wheel I63 until such time as the dog I81 is againelevated. The dog I81 is biased downwardly by a spring I88.

It may here be noted that the dog vided with a rearwardly projectingwhich is adapted to be engaged by an arm I90 rigidly carried by theshaft 43. It will, of course, be understood that three such arms I90 areprovided on the shaft 43 for engagement with the dogs I81 of the threecoin units. The shaft 43 is rotated immediately the handle 35 is moveddownwardly and, consequently, at that time the dogs I8I and I12 are freeto engage the ratchet wheel I63. During the return stroke of the handle35 the lever I61 is oscillated and the oscillation of the dog I 8| hasthe effect of rotating the ratchet wheel I63 through the distance of onetooth.

The mechanism shown in Fig. 9 appertains to the 25 coin slot and,consequently, it is set for five operations of the handle 35. When thestop I16 is in engagement with the stop I11 the detent I9I of the dogI8I is adapted to engage the tooth I 92 (Fig. 9) of the ratchet WheelI63. Consequently, the first four oscillations of the handle 35 willhave the effect of rotating the ratchet wheel I 63 four steps in theclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9. At the completion of thefourth oscillation the detent I9I will fall into the large recess I80 inthe ratchet wheel I63 and, consequently, it will descend into thealigned recess of the ratchet wheel I6I.

Thus, on the last stroke, not only is the ratchet wheel I63 rotated onestep, but also the ratchet wheel I6I. At the end of this oscillation thedog I8I is raised out of engagement with all ratchet teeth by means of aformation I93 on the ratchet wheel I63, which formation replaces thenormal tooth position.

It will be understood that the number of oscillations of the dispensinghandle 35, which are necessary for the cooperation of the detent I9Iwith the large recess I80 of the ratchet wheel I63, depends upon therelation between the position of the stop I16 and the large recess I80on the ratchet wheel I63. The positions for the stops I16 for 1, 2 and 5actuations of the handle 35 are shown on Fig. 4.

When the merchandise in the machine is exhausted, the bar 68 is movedupwardly and swings the lever 69 (Fig. 4) in the clockwise direction.The lever 69 is pivotally mounted at I94 on the plate I13. At its upperend the lever 69 carries a forwardly bent cam portion I95. The camportion I95 engages an arm I96 which is rigidly mounted on a shaft I91which extends across the machine behind the plate 10, being mounted onbrackets I99 carried thereby.

The shaft I91 carries three radially projecting pins I99 which areadapted, under certain circumstances, to engage the three levers I09.The shaft I91 is biased by a spring 200 (Fig. 6) which is connected toan arm 20I rigidly mounted on one end 01' the shaft I91. When the upperpart of the lever 69 is displaced to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, theshaft I91 is rotated slightly in the counter-clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 6, with the result that the pins I99 engage the leversI09 and project the forwardly turned portions I08 thereof into the coinchutes 89. Consequently, when the machine is empty of merchandise, coinsinserted at the openings 19 will not be accepted by the machine, butwill be returned to the customer at the outlet I I9.

The two levers 51 and 66 are rigidly mounted on the ends of two shafts202 and 203 which extend across the machine behind the plate 10, beingpivotally mounted in the brackets I98 which also support the shaft I91immediately in front of the shaft 203. The shaft 202 has rigidly mountedthereon three arms 204, to each of which is pivotally connected one ofthe pins I previously referred to.

In their normal position the pins I25 are located flush with the plate10. If there is a coin in the coin-receiving position of one of the coindisplay discs, the pin I25 will be prevented from moving forwardly whenthe handle 35 is depressed.- Consequently, the lever 54 will be held inthe position in which it is shown in Fig. 2, and the arm 5I will not bepermitted to move rearwardly. Consequently, the handle 35 may be moveddownwardly without the projection 50 entering the recess 53 which wouldprevent thedownward movement.

The shaft 203 rigidly carries three downwardly depending arms 205 towhich are pivotally connected the three pins I24 or I24, as the case maybe. These pins have their forward extremities normally flush with theplate 10.

The two levers 51 and 66 are drawn rearwardly by springs 206 so that thebolts 56 and 65 carried thereby abut against the levers 54 and 63,respectively. Adjacent its pivot the arm 63 carries a forwardlyprojecting arm 201 which is connected by a spring 208 to the hand lever35. When the hand lever is in its upward position,

that is, the position shown in Fig. 2, the spring 208 is not undertension. When the handle 35 is moved downwardly, the spring 208 becomestensioned and the force applied to the arm 63 is sufllcient to swing thelever 66 forwardly or to tend to do so. If there is a hole in the coinor if there is a large hole in the case of a token in the third coinunit, the arm 63 moves forward to such an extent that the plate 59 ismoved downwardly and, consequently, the rearward movement of thedispensing plate 28 is prevented.

Means are preferably provided to prevent the machine from being tiltedin an effort to cheat it by employing thin coins or tokens. Thus, we maymount a pendulum 209 which is adapted, when the machine is tiltedforwardly; to engage a pin 2I0 carried by an arm 2I I, which is rigidlycarried by the shaft I91. It will readily be understood that when themachine is tilted forwardly the shaft I91 is rotated incounter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, and the pins I99engage the lever I09, as shown in Fig. 13, and move this lever in thecounter-clockwise direction as viewed in that figure, so as to introducethe projecting portion I08 into the slot 89.

The operation of the device will be fully understood from the foregoingdescription. If a quarter is inserted in the first or left-handcoinreceiving opening 19, and the appropriate handle MI is operated toforce the coin from the coin chute 89 into the coin display disc, thenthe handle 35 may be actuated five times for the discharge of fivepackages of merchandise. When a dime is inserted in the secondcoin-receiving opening 19 and the appropriate handle MI is operated, thehandle 35 may be actuated twice to dispense two packages of merchandise.When a nickel or an authorized token is inserted in the thirdcoin-receiving opening 19 and the appropriate handle MI is operated, thehandle 35 may be operated once only.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with thespecific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must beunderstood that such details are not intended to be limitative of theinvention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasingsaid ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said.

ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding saidratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing saidpawl means, manually operated means, means including first said pawlmeans actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchetmeans step by step from said initial position, and

means actuated by said manually operated means at a predetermined numberof actuations for rendering said manually operated means inoperable.

2. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasingsaid ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving saidratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding saidratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing saidpawl means, manually operated means, means including first said pawlmeans actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchetmeans step by step from said initial position, and means controlled bysaid ratchet means and actuated by said manually operated means wherebythe actuation of said manually operated means for a predetermined numberof times renders said manually operated means inoperable.

3. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasingsaid ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving saidratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding saidratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing saidpawl means, manually operated means, means including first said pawlmeans actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchetmeans step by step from said initial position, and means operable bylast said means in a predetermined position of said ratchet meanswhereby the manually operated means is rendered inoperative.

4. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasingsaid ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving saidratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding saidratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing saidpawl means, manually operated means, a latch normally operable toprevent actuation of said manually operated means, means for holding acoin at a certain position, means controlled by a coin at said positionfor preventing the operation of said latch, means including first saidpawl means and actuated by said manually operated means for moving saidratchet means step by step from said initial position, and meansoperable by last said means in a predetermined position of said ratchetmeans for moving the coin from its said position.

5. A coin released mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel, means biasingsaid ratchet wheel to an initial position, pawl means for moving saidratchet wheel into another position, further pawl means for holding saidratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing saidpawl means, manually operated means, a latch normally operable toprevent actuation of said manually operated means, means for holding acoin at a certain position, means controlled by a coin at said positionfor preventing the operation of said. latch, means including first saidpawl means and actuated by said manually operated means for moving saidratchet wheel step by step from said initial position, and a ratchetwheel adapted tocarry said coin from its said position, last saidratchet wheel being smaller than and co-axial with the first saidratchet wheel, the first said ratchet wheel having an enlarged recess atone position, whereby the first said pawl means in that position isenabled to engage and operate the second said ratchet wheel.

6. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasingsaid ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving saidratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding saidratchet in last said position, manually operable means whereby a coin iscaused to free said pawl means, a second manually operable means, meansincluding first said pawl means and actuated by said second manuallyoperable means for moving said ratchet means step by step from saidinitial position, and means actuated by said second manually operablemeans at a predetermined number of actuations for rendering said secondmanually operable means inoperative.

7. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of different denominations, a ratchet meansassociated with each coin chute, means biasing each of'said ratchetmeans to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet meansinto another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet inlast said position, coin controlled means associated with each chutewhereby the associated pawl means may be released, a manually operablemember adapted on actuations to move said ratchet means stepwise frominitial position, and means on each ratchet means for rendering themanually operable member inoperative when the ratchet means has beenmoved to a predetermined position by actuation of the manually operablemember.

8. A coin released mechanism comprising a. plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of difierent denominations, a ratchet meansassociated with each coin chute, means biasing each of said ratchetmeans to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet meansinto another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet inlast said position, coin controlled means associated with each chutewhereby the associated pawl means may be released, a manu-. allyoperable member adapted on successive actuations to move said ratchetmeans stepwise from initial position, a latch normally preventingactuation of said manually operable means, coin controlled meansassociated with each chute for rendering said latch inoperative, andmeans associated with each ratchet means for rendering said latchoperative after said manually operable member has been actuated for apredetermined number of times.

9. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of different denominations, a ratchet wheelassociated with each coin chute, means biasing each of said ratchetwheels to an initial position, pawl means. for moving said ratchet wheelinto another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet inlast said position, coin controlled means associated with each chutewhereby the associated pawl means may be released, a manually operablemember adapted on successive actuations to move said ratchet wheelstepwise from initial position, and means controlled by means includingsaid ratchet for preventing operation of said manually operable memberafter a predetermined number of actuations.

10. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of difierent denominations, a ratchet wheelassociated with each coin chute, means biasing each of said ratchetwheels to an initial position, pawls adapted to move and hold saidwheels to and in other positions, coin controlled means associated witheach chute whereby the associated pawls may be released and theassociated wheel released to initial position, a manually operablemember adapted to actuate one of said pawls on successive actuations tomove any released ratchet wheel stepwise from initial position, andmeans controlled by means including said ratchet for rendering saidmanually operable member inoperative.

11. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of difierent denominations, ratchet wheel meansassociated with said coin chutes, means biasing said ratchet wheel meansin one direction, pawl means adapted to move and hold said ratchet wheelmeans to and in several positions, coin controlled means associated witheach chute whereby the associated pawl means may be released to permitmovement of said ratchet wheel means in said direction, stop meanslimiting the movement of said ratchet wheel means to an extent dependingon the denomination of said coin, manually actuated means, meansactuated thereby for moving said ratchet wheel means stepwise as themanually actuated means is operated, and means associated with saidratchet wheel means for rendering inoperative last said means for movingsaid ratchet wheel means.

12. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of diflfere'nt denominations, ratchet wheelmeans associated with said coin chutes, means biasing said ratchet wheelmeans in one direction, pawl means adapted to move and hold said ratchetwheel means to and in several positions, coin controlled meansassociated with each chute whereby the associated pawl means may bereleased to permit movement of said ratchet wheel means in saiddirection, stop means limiting the movement of said ratchet wheel meansto an extent depending on the denomination of said coin, manuallyactuated means, means actuated thereby for moving said ratchet wheelmeans stepwise as the manually actuated means is operated. meansassociated with said ratchet wheel means for rendering said manuallyactuated means inoperable, and means on said ratchet wheel means forrendering inoperative the means for moving said ratchet wheel means.

13. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of different denominations, ratchet wheel meansassociated with said coin chutes, means biasing said ratchet wheel meansin one direction, pawl means adapted to move and hold said ratchet wheelmeans to and in several diilferent positions, coin controlled meansassociated with each chute whereby the pawl means may be released topermit movement oi said ratchet wheel means in said direction, stopmeans limiting the movement of said ratchet wheel means to an extentdepending on the denomination of said coin, manually operable means,means for holding said coins in certain positions, means adapted tocooperate with a coin in said position and actuated by said manuallyoperable means, means controlled by said cooperating means forcontrolling the movement of said ratchet wheel means stepwise by themanually actuated means, means associated with said ratchetwheel meansfor removing said coin from said position and thereby rendering saidmanually actuated means inoperable, and means on said ratchet wheelmeans for rendering inoperative the means for moving said ratchet wheelmeans.

14. A coin released mechanism, comprising a plurality of coin chutesadapted to receive coins of different denominations, a coin display diskhaving a plurality of coin receiving pockets associated with each chute,a ratchet wheel associated with each of said chutes, means biasing eachratchet wheel in one direction, pawl means adapted to hold said ratchetwheels against displacement in said direction, coin controlled meansassociated with each pawl whereby the associated ratchet wheel may bereleased by a coin passing to a coin display disk, stop means limitingthe movement of said ratchet wheel to an extent depending on thedenomination of said coin, means adapted to engage a coin in any of saiddisks at the coin receiving position thereof, means including a pawlcooperating with each of said ratchet wheels, manually operable meansfor moving any of said ratchet wheels thus released stepwise as themanually actuated means is operated, means controlled by saidcoin-engaging means for permitting said actuating means to actuate saidpawl, means associated with each ratchet wheel for moving the associatedcoin display disk to carry the controlling coin from coin receivingposition, and thereby rendering said manually actuated means inoperable,and means on each ratchet wheel for rendering the associated one of lastsaid actuating pawls inoperative.

SIDNEY E. VAN TUYL. EMERY CHARLES BZYPER.

